THURSDAY

Turkey gobbler outfits when folks go running before it’s turkey-eating time Thursday. They’ll be heading out with lots of laughter from the Briargate YMCA at 8:15 a.m. for the Kid’s Tiny Trot and Turkey Trot 5K. Register: ppymca.org/raceseries. Denver’s 52nd Turkey Trot is 9 a.m. in Washington Park, stroller and dog friendly, unitedwaydenver.org/turkey-trot. Turkey Rock Trot to benefit Help & Hope Center is 7:30 a.m., at the fairgrounds in Castle Rock, runtochangelives.org/turkeyrocktrot. Turkey Day 5K in Frisco too. townoffrisco.com

SATURDAY

Special sales, food and activities to support downtown’s more than 160+ independent businesses during Small Business Saturday. Free parking at meters and city garages. Downtowncs.com. Special offers in Old Colorado City and all around the area, too, during this national event.

SATURDAY
The nostalgic sounds of handbells playing Christmas favorites are a special holiday offering, “On a Winter’s Night,” by the Pikes Peak Ringers at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 7500 Tudor Road. 7 p.m. Saturday followed by 3 p.m. Sunday at Denver’s Central  Presbyterian Church. Freewill offerings. pikespeakringers.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Takes your breath away. And that describes how you’ll feel walking across America’s highest suspension bridge, high above the Arkansas River, as it twinkles with holiday lights during the Royal Gorge Bridge of Lights. 5-8 p.m. weekends until Dec. 21. Time for Santa, hot cocoa, cookie decorating and so many photos. royalgorgebridge.com

FRIDAY

Holiday parades are on the menu statewide for the next couple of weekends, starting with the Catch the Glow Parade Friday in sparkling Estes Park. It’s “whimsical” they promise and you can see what the townsfolk have created at 5:30 p.m., downtown. visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays/holiday-parade

SATURDAY

Downtown Manitou will be rocking, and filled with music, for the Celebration of The Last Waltz at Armadillo Ranch, 8 p.m. Saturday, 962 Manitou Ave. Musicians from all around Southern Colorado and special guests. Host: Big Sky.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

See beautifully decorated trees during the final days of the Al Kaly Shrine benefit Feztival of Trees Friday and Saturday at Colorado Springs Masonic Temple, 1150 Panorama Drive. Opening at 10 a.m. and running all day, admission $2. Try your luck for one special tree that comes complete with presents. Santa visits noon to 2 p.m.

FRIDAY

An iconic Colorado tradition begins this weekend with the lighting of the Salida Christmas Tree covering the side of the mountain, 750 feet tall. Amazing for holiday photos. Friday kicks off with the Salida Parade of Lights downtown at 6 p.m., leading to the tree lighting on Tenderfoot Mountain. colorfulcolorado.com